Locked On Oilers - Daily Podcast On The Edmonton Oilers

With free agency slowing down, the Edmonton Oilers enter the summer with major questions. On today’s episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis dives deep into 10 pressing questions about the franchise: What kind of deal will Connor McDavid sign? Can Matthew Savoie or Ike Howard crack the lineup? Is this team wasting another Cup window by running it back with Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard?...

The Edmonton Oilers have acquired NCAA standout and Hobey Baker winner Isaac “Ike” Howard. On today’s episode of Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis explains why this low-risk, high-upside bet makes sense for a contending team, what Howard brings as a scorer, and how Edmonton can create the right development runway to help him thrive next to Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. With limited cap space, the...

The Edmonton Oilers didn’t ask Ryan Nugent-Hopkins or Adam Henrique to waive their no-trade clauses this offseason, but should they have? In today’s episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis explores what aging curves, usage rates, and cap space realities mean for both veteran forwards. Is there still value left in Nugent-Hopkins and Henrique? Or is Edmonton holding on too long during a tight...

Jeff Skinner remains unsigned as NHL free agency hits week two. Could the Edmonton Oilers bring him back for another shot at a depth scoring role? On today’s episode of Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis explains why Skinner’s first stint didn’t work, why the underlying numbers with Connor McDavid were better than you remember, and why Edmonton still needs one more top-nine forward. 0:00 Jeff Skinner'...

The Edmonton Oilers added Andrew Mangiapane to their forward group but can the former 30-goal scorer recapture that form in a top-six role? On today’s episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis breaks down Mangiapane’s usage history, scoring profile, and why his forechecking and puck retrieval could be a great fit alongside Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl. Plus: the risk-reward of a reclamati...

Welcome to the NHL Squad Show! Today our hosts Gil Martin (Locked On Islanders), Eddie Garcia (Locked On Kings, David Morassutti (Locked On Leafs) and Seth Toupal (Locked On Wild are here to talk about the big moves of free agency so far, including the Mitch Marner saga finally coming to an end, what the heck the LA Kings are doing, and where Nikolaj Ehlers is going to end up! Support Us By Suppor...

With NHL Free Agency cooling off, host Nick Zararis takes a full look at what the Edmonton Oilers' lineup might look like on opening night. From a top six built around Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard, to depth concerns at forward and a likely unchanged goalie tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, Nick breaks down what works, what doesn’t, and what still needs to happen bef...

On today’s episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis reacts to the Edmonton Oilers signing Evan Bouchard to a massive $10.5M AAV extension and trading Victor Arvidsson to the Boston Bruins for cap relief. With Jeff Skinner also gone, Corey Perry and Connor Brown out, and no goaltending solution in sight, how will the Oilers fill key forward and net minder roles? Nick breaks down the future of...

On the morning of NHL Free Agency, the Edmonton Oilers find themselves trapped by the salary cap again. With Evan Bouchard due for a massive extension and holes remaining in the top six, bottom six, and goaltending, Nick Zararis breaks down why the Oilers are stuck, what they can do with limited money, and why running it back might be the plan. We also examine the $1.3M Kasperi Kapanen deal, Stan...

On today’s Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis breaks down a huge start to the offseason for Edmonton including the surprise trade of Evander Kane to the Vancouver Canucks, the long-term extension for bottom-six winger Trent Frederic, and why the Oilers still don’t seem willing to solve their goaltending problem. Can the Oilers still win without a real upgrade in net? Is Frederic really a Kane rep...

The Edmonton Oilers just lost a winnable Stanley Cup Final with the worst goaltending tandem of the cap era. So… what happens next? In this episode of Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis explains why goaltending is the league’s most volatile position, why the Oilers aren’t likely to upgrade, and what it means if Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard remain the plan for next season. From Alex Lyon and Jake...

Welcome to the NHL Squad Show! Today our hosts Gil Martin (Locked On Islanders), Eddie Garcia (Locked On Kings, David Morassutti (Locked On Leafs) and Armando Velez (Locked On Panthers) are here to talk about the upcoming NHL draft, any potential free agency surprises, and about Alexander Mogilny finally making it into the Hall of Fame! Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Rugiet
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The Edmonton Oilers are heading into the “Big 3” era with Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard likely commanding over $40 million in cap space combined. On today’s Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis breaks down what it will take to keep this core intact, build around them, and still remain a Stanley Cup contender over the next three seasons. From long-term cap projections to depth archety...

Evan Bouchard is about to get paid the only question is how much. In today’s Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis explains why the 24-year-old defenseman is critical to Edmonton’s Stanley Cup window, where he ranks among the league’s elite, and how much his next deal could cost. Should the Oilers go long term? Could Bouchard take a short bridge deal and test free agency? What does this mean for Connor M...

Connor McDavid is eligible for an extension this summer and the Oilers must get it done. In this episode of Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis breaks down why McDavid holds all the leverage, what his next contract might look like, and why trading him is not just impossible it’s illogical. We also examine past superstar exits (like John Tavares and Johnny Gaudreau) and why Edmonton’s long-term pla...

The 2025 NHL offseason is here and the Edmonton Oilers have huge decisions to make. In today’s Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis breaks down who’s staying, who’s likely gone, and how Edmonton should manage the cap while keeping Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evan Bouchard. Plus: Goaltending options, why Evander Kane and Victor Arvidsson may be traded, and what to expect from McDavid's contract n...

After another Stanley Cup Final heartbreak, the Edmonton Oilers head into a critical offseason. In this episode of Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis breaks down the franchise’s biggest priorities: keeping Connor McDavid, fixing the goaltending problem, and retooling the roster for another run. What’s next for Evander Kane, Victor Arvidsson, and the Oilers’ forward group? How does Edmonton build aroun...

Welcome to the NHL Squad Show! Today our hosts Gil Martin (Locked On Islanders), Seth Toupal (Locked On Wild), David Morassutti (Locked On Leafs) and Zach Martin (Locked On Hurricanes) are here to talk about why the playoffs are lasting so long, how to fix that, whether the NHL will finally close the LTIR loophole some teams have been using, and what to make of the early Olympics roster announceme...

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For the second straight year, the Edmonton Oilers fall in the Stanley Cup Final. In today’s emotional Locked On Oilers, host Nick Zararis breaks down what went wrong in Game 6 against the Florida Panthers, why goaltending and offensive depth failed the Oilers when it mattered most, and how close this team really was to winning it all. Plus, a heartfelt look at what comes next from offseason questi...

It’s do or die for the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final. In today’s Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis breaks down who should start in net Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard and why Connor McDavid must carry this team to Game 7. From goaltending numbers to scoring depth issues and Florida’s suffocating structure, this is a high-stakes breakdown of what needs to happen for Edmonton to s...

The Edmonton Oilers trail 3–2 in the Stanley Cup Final after a frustrating Game 5 loss to the Florida Panthers. In this episode of Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis breaks down why the Panthers’ counterattack overwhelmed Edmonton, how the Oilers’ offense dried up at the worst time, and who should start in net for Game 6: Stuart Skinner or Calvin Pickard. From goaltending breakdowns to scoring drought...

The Edmonton Oilers tied the Stanley Cup Final 2–2 in dramatic fashion, but the story isn’t over. In today’s episode of Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis dives into the gutsy comeback in Game 4, explains why Connor McDavid is due for an offensive eruption, and builds the case for Leon Draisaitl as the Conn Smythe front-runner. From Corey Perry’s leadership to Calvin Pickard’s composure and the import...

The Edmonton Oilers made Stanley Cup Final history, erasing a 3–0 deficit after the first period to defeat the Florida Panthers in overtime. In this episode of Locked On Oilers, Nick Zararis breaks down how the Oilers dug deep, changed momentum, and proved they’re not just alive they’re dangerous. From Darnell Nurse’s redemption goal to Calvin Pickard’s calm in net, and from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins' l...

Welcome to the NHL Squad Show! Today our hosts Gil Martin (Locked On Islanders), Seth Toupal (Locked On Wild) and Tom Callahan (Locked On Mammoth) are here to talk about how the Panthers are outclassing the Oilers, as well as the coaching drama happening in Dallas! Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Monarch Money
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